Duchesne is an all girls prep school in our neighborhood. I don’t know how many times I’ve driven past and looked at the building. I have always thought about what a great asset it is for our neighborhood. Recently I got the chance to go inside and hear from the Head of School at the neighborhood association meeting.
Duchesne may be the oldest organization in our neighborhood. About 130 years ago a group of nuns came to Omaha and founded the school. It started out as a convent. For 130 years there have been nuns and students praying at the chapel on campus.
In 1994 they were experiencing some hard times. There was enormous pressure to move out to west Omaha suburbs (where the money is). But after considering it for a long time, they decided that God had them in this place for a reason. There were many reasons to move, but they chose to stay.
For me, as I live out God’s calling on my life, it’s clear that putting down roots and serving my neighborhood is central. This story from Duchesne really helped me see how powerful this is. God has been at work in this neighborhood long before we arrived. I love that feeling. We get the job of discovering what He is doing and partnering with Him.
One tangible way I am involved in our neighborhood is through events and neighborhood meetings. I often meet others that want to see the success of our neighborhood. By getting involved in very tangible needs we will naturally make connections with people. A very simple, and very effective strategy in advancing God’s Kingdom.
